Composite bonds to tooth via

• A. Resin tags
• B. Adhesive and resin tags
• C. Chemical bonding to calcium
• D. Mechanical interlocking only

Answer: (B)

Bonding a composite to tooth relies on both micromechanical retention and chemical adhesion provided by the adhesive system. When enamel is etched, microscopic porosities are created and resin can infiltrate these spaces to form resin tags, which lock the resin into the tooth structure and provide mechanical interlocking. At the same time, the adhesive layer contains functional monomers that chemically bond to the tooth’s minerals (hydroxyapatite/calcium), creating a chemical connection between the tooth and the resin. This combination—adhesive chemical bonding and resin tag formation—produces the strongest and most durable bond. Relying on resin tags alone misses the chemical bonding component, while relying on mechanical interlocking only ignores the chemical interaction that adhesive systems provide.